What is an angular contact ball bearing?

Nov 16, 2023

There are a number of different types of ball bearings available on the market. Whilst they may look rather similar, each one has its own unique set of features that make it suitable for a range of different tasks. A company like Arrow Engineering will be able to help you ensure that the ball bearing you choose is the best one for the project that you have in mind if you are not certain exactly what you are looking for. The angular contact ball bearing is just one of the different types of ball bearing that you might be considering. Here, we will look at what an angular ball bearing is and also some of the significant features that you will find with this item.

This type of ball bearing contains both an inner and an outer ring raceway. These two rings displace in relation to one another in the direction of the bearing access. Just like other types of ball bearing, the angular contact ball bearing comes in both single and double row.

A single-row angular contact ball bearing is an item that is most commonly used as part of a pair. This can be with back-to-back, tandem arrangement or face-to-face. They can also be used in a combination that is made up of bearing sets.

The double-row angular contact bearing is a product that has specifically been designed to correspond to two single-row angular contact ball bearings that have been placed in such as way that they will work in an arrangement that is back-to-back. This type of ball bearing is eminently suitable for use with combined axial loads in situations where the axial space is somewhat limited.

Whilst not an angular contact ball bearing, the four-point contact bearing is something that is often useful in similar situations. This is a ball bearing that has specifically been designed to handle the axial load that needs to be moved in both directions.

There are a number of very important features of the angular contact ball bearing that make them a very important product to consider when looking for the right ball bearing for your application.

When it comes to the actual appearance of the ball bearing, the angular contact ball bearing only has one high shoulder on its outer ring. This type of design ensures that the angular contact bearing is capable of having a high load capacity. In addition, the high shoulder also creates two intersecting lines, and these lines form the contact angle on the bearing. Usually, the standard contact angle will be between 15° and 25° (with radial bearing, this is 8°). It is this contact angle that permits the bearing to support not only a higher load but also a faster speed.

The increased axial load capacity of this type of ball bearing, which is a result of the increases in the angle of contact makes this an ideal choice for use in a range of engineering, industrial and manufacturing applications. It is particularly useful when any original construction is needed. These are just some examples of applications where they might be used:

Hopefully, now you have more information on whether this would be the right choice of bearing for your project. However, if you need further advice, why not contact a professional company to give you advice and support when choosing?